Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove

This is really my first casual game, and I really loved it! I'm assuming this is considered a IHOG-is that correct? I'm looking to find another game very similar in nature.
I saw the suggestions on old lady's thread, but I have some questions about the games listed:
Redemption Cemetery: Curse of the Raven
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat
Awakening: The Dreamless Castle
Princess Isabella: A Witch's Curse
Mystery Case Files: The 13th Skull
Deadtime Stories
Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera
Haunted Halls: Green Hills Sanitarium
Vampire Saga: Pandora's Box
Drawn: The Painted Tower
Drawn: Dark Flight

Are any of them the same kind of story--scary, alien, etc?
Do typical IHOGs have cutscenes like in Dire Grove? I really enjoyed that part of the game.
I can't really do timed or arcade sequences, but if there is a skip feature that's fine.
Are they all "first-person" so to speak, or is there ever any interaction with other people (I much prefer first-person.)
I do have the first "Drawn" sitting around somewhere; that one looked good to me.

I dislike a "game" that is just go from screen to screen and find the hidden objects.
Thanks for your help.

When you say "cutscenes" in Dire Grove, are you referring to the full-motion video that you see when you are viewing the tapes? If so, the new Mystery Case Files game, the 13th Skull, has lots of full-motion video when you talk to other characters in the game. It's only selling right now as the Collector's Edition, though; the regular version should be along in a few weeks.

If you are looking for a good IHOG without a lot of hidden object scenes, I would recommend Redemption Cemetary: Curse of the Raven.

Offhand I can't think of any IHOGs that have arcade scenes or sequences that are timed (well, 13th Skull did have one arcade-type puzzle, but it gave you the option to skip it).


Awakening: The Dreamless Castle has very few hidden object scenes and is mostly inventory/adventuring along with some stand-alone puzzles. Haunted Halls: Green Hills Sanitarium, Black Cat, Redemption Cemetary, Mystery Legends, and Deadtime Stories are all pretty spooky/creepy games, with some hidden object scenes as well as puzzles and collecting inventory and figuring out where to use it.

Yes, Marion, I do mean full motion video. But do you mean you actually "interact" with other characters, or just watch a clip, so to speak?

I'm also keeping an eye on Phantom of the Opera; I so love the Broadway play. I wonder if there is music involved?

Mainly you watch a video clip of the characters, but there is some minimal interaction such as taking an item out of the hand of one of the characters, or playing a game with one of them. There is a keyword dialogue box that pops up during these full-motion video sequences and you click on those keywords to move the story forward.

Phantom of the Opera is an excellent game. I'm thinking there might be a puzzle or two having to do with musical notes, but I could well be getting my games mixed up. I remember enjoying the sound in the game but don't believe there is anything music-wise that is taken directly from the Broadway play. It's well worth playing.

I'm playing Dark Parables Curse of Briar Rose. Basic story line is free sleeping buauty.
The HOG sections are not a list of things to find but find each piece of the next invantory item on the screen. There are pictures of all the pieces at the bottom of the screen.

I have a question about MCF: Dire Grove. Does anyone know how they made the "frozen" people look so convincing? Thanks.

No idea, Laurette, but it's an interesting question.

Hi, Mary!

If you're looking for an IHOG with a compelling storyline, I would recommend "Nightfall Mysteries: Asylum Conspiracy". I don't remember any cut scenes, but you do interact with other characters and collect inventory items for use elsewhere. It was one of the best games I've ever played.

"Asylum Conspiracy" is the prequel to "Curse of the Opera" (another good one).

Susan

I'm playing the demo of phantom of the opera, but it's not grabbing me.

I think I'll look into Mystery Files: the 13th Skull; perhaps try a demo. Nightall Mysteries: Asylum Conspiracy sounds good, too.

Hi, Mary!

"Nightfall Mysteries" Curse of the Opera" is not the same game as "Phantom of the Opera. It picks up where "Nightfall Mysteries: Asylum Conspiracies" left off. Strangely enough, "Curse of the Opera" was released six months before "Asylum Conspiracies".

BTW, I also played "Phantom of the Opera" and really enjoyed it. My only disappointment was that it was missing the musical score from Andrew Lloyd Webber !

Susan

Susie,
Was Phantom of the Opera a relatively short game? In the demo I felt like I was progressing rather quickly. Are there other things to see and do besides the Opera House?

How wonderful would that game have been if the music from the play was included? I play that CD all the time.

Hi, Mary!

I played the CE of "Phantom of the Opera", but the regular portion was quite lengthy. It only takes place inside the Opera House and surrounding grounds.

I guess the game developers weren't able to get permission to include Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical score, or maybe they didn't even bother. I saw "Phantom" twice, but bought the cassette of the British version with Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford.

Susan

Susie, Rosaboobie and blsbet,

I made a new thread for you at Mixed Bags - check here: British Shows.

Thanks.

Hi Mary
There's a game that I have and am not too happy with it cos it basically goes from one screen to another where you have to look for hidden objects. There are a few puzzles interspersed It's called Mystery Chronicles-Murder Among Friends. Not as much fun as Dire Grove. At least in DG you are able to explore the B&B, the town, etc.

Murder Among Friends does have a good story tho!

I just finished replaying Dire Grove. I had forgotten what a great game it was! I loved the videos! For me it is the best IHOG out there! And I actually played the entire game without consulting the walkthough! And believe me this was an unimaginable feat! LOL

That's very impressive! I certainly can't say that I didn't consult the walkthrough for this game.